And the journey begins...soon.

Africa < 5 weeks.
Destination: Kampala, Uganda
Duration: 9-12 months, depending on if Africa can handle me or not.
Mission: To raise awareness/money for physically disabled children all over the continent of Africa...oh, and to mature into a real person who can function as a responsible adult. Possible? I think so.

My first post on the new blog. It feels more monumental than it actually is. I have been trying to make myself do this for the past two weeks but every time I open up the screen to type, my hands start shaking and I get too nervous. Starting this blog means that it is almost time. Almost time is worse than time. This period of waiting to leave is absolute torture. I am in limbo - stuck between the trivial things (for instance, my entire life here in America...I just took a freshman level geology test last week - who cares?) and my soon-to-be reality of daily exposure to the struggles of the children of Africa. This feeling of betweenness...yes, this is definitely a made up word...makes me crazy. How do I apply myself here in school, in my relationships that I am leaving behind, and most importantly, in my faith?

My solution has been to forget about Africa completely and focus on the workload that 18 credits has dropped on top of me. I, unfortunately, did not allot myself much time to finish three grueling senior projects that are all due on May 1st. I leave this country on May 25th. I had hoped 24 days would be enough time to focus on the trip but the Lord and close friends and family keep pointing out to me the importance of preparing now. Besides the logistics (plane ticket, passport renewal, vaccinations, doctor's appointments), there is so much preparation that needs to be done...mentally, physically, spiritually. As two people have eerily pointed out to me in the exact same words, this is my Africa pre-season. I need to be preparing for the big game/ race, whatever I am training for. These friends apparently don't think I can understand anything outside soccer terminology, but I still applaud their efforts, :).

These people are right, this is my "Africa pre-season" and I am asking each of you who happens upon this site to train with me. Many of you have physically trained with me for various events and you all know how much I like to be pushed by a runner next to me. I like the feeling of having someone else going through the same trials I am...having someone who understands how difficult it is to attack something this monumental daily. But most importantly, I like to have someone who will make me train when I really don't feel like it - someone who will come into my bedroom at 6:00 a.m., handing me my running shoes and pulling the covers off of me (Thanks for that Pat, Katie, and Lisa). The great thing is about helping me train for this though, is that it requires no physical effort at all. Just a prayer when you think about me. A simple, "Help Rachel" will be more than perfect. I know that I absolutely need your support and prayers to leave America with any type of peace and to enter Africa with a safeguard surrounding me.

I am aware this is a little heavy for a "first post." But now you know what you are in for, :). I appreciate the visit and please keep coming back for more!

I love you all!